Faith, Obedience, and Blessings

Yes, indeed it has been a while since my last post. I was waiting on the Lord for my next witnessing to His blessedness. All in His perfect timing.

Praise God for answered prayers. Here is a testimony from the Lord (and a great lesson) – Faith, Obedience, and Blessings. I pray this blesses you –

Around 3 weeks ago, the engine in my car started to make a loud humming noise. After checking it out further, it sounded like the alternator in my car. I prayed a prayer of Faith over my engine. I think it was the same day (or the day after) of my prayer that I was driving my car with a friend. I decided to pull into Advanced Auto Parts store to have them check out the alternator. As I pulled into the parking lot, I heard the Spirit say “You don’t trust me?” Originally, I prayed a prayer of faith, but disbelief, worry, etc. settled in and choked out His promises. O ye of little faith Joseph –

Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

I turned around in the parking lot of the auto parts store, and I left without having them check it. I had Faith that He will do as He promises, and the evil one came in to steal the Word of God out of my heart. I almost gave in. I praise God for our Helper who guided me with a little unction. With that unction, I took an action of obedience in faith and trust.

Over the last few weeks, the “noise” kept getting worse. This is the cool part. I could only hear it when I stopped the car and had my windows opened. So, whenever I stopped at a stop light, I would put the radio on, roll up the windows, sing praise to God, and/or I would just speak over the noise with something like this: “Noise, I know you’re trying to deceive me into thinking that God won’t help me. But my car is still running! I cast you out in the name of Jesus! Stand behind me noise! My Lord has got this!”, then with thanksgiving, “Lord, thank you for fixing my car. The evil one is trying to deceive me with this noise but you have proven to me that the car is fixed because it is still running weeks later! Thank you Lord!” Amen. Praise and Glory to God. I remained in my faith, trust, and obedience.

Ha, God is good. My faith and obedience was strengthened because I believed in the fact that the car was fixed, and it was evident because the car continued to run (Set the mind on things above, not below). This continued for approximately 3 weeks. During this 3 weeks, the noise continued to get louder, and louder each day, but I continued and patiently endured by praising and thanking God for fixing my car. I believed that it was finished in the heavenly realm.

A few days ago, the noise started to get very loud. The thief came in again to steal the seed, but I stood against it. During this test, I used my intellect: The car has been running for 3 weeks since the noise started. It is fixed and running. Thus, I had no reason to doubt. My faith was increased by looking through the eyes of the Spirit and believing that He has fixed my car, but the evil one was trying to deceive me. I looked beyond the “noise” and paid attention to the reality of the situation – the car is still running. Praise God, I kept on in my obedience and trust. I also spoke against the “noise” of deception and distraction. I would say “Stand behind me noise! You are trying to deceive me! You are fixed in the heavenly realm. Thank you Lord for fixing my car!”

Yesterday, I had to make a drive to Detroit, which is approximately a 1.5 hour drive on the highway. Again, the enemy started to come in, but my Faith has been growing. I jumped in the car with very little doubt, and almost no worry/anxiousness (an act of obedience and trust). I headed towards Detroit with praise and thanks on my lips for the car being fixed. Yes, I had passing thoughts that tried to steal my faith, but I would pass over those thoughts, thanking God. The enemy’s darts said, “Will you make it? How will you get home if you break down? Who will you call?” I laughed, and quenched the fiery darts with the shield of faith. When I arrived in Detroit, I said “Thank you Lord for fixing my car.”

I spent the day visiting with family. As I was leaving Detroit, my uncle was walking me out to my car and asked, “How is the car running?” Me: “Well, it’s making a noise in the engine, but God’s blessing me so far. It’s still running. It’s all good. He is fixing it.” My uncle leaned over to hear as I used the remote-start to start it.. no noise. Praise God – Blessings.

James 1:21-25 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

There ya have it, another blessed testimony from the Lord. A blessings after obedience, faith and trust – just as He promises and is faithful. His word does not lie. Faith, Obedience = Blessings. Keep it Simple Servant.

If this is a blessing to you, please share with others as the Spirit leads. Let the grace of God flow for His Kingdom’s sake.

In love,

joseph